Automatic apparatus for electrolytic processing and the like



July 11, 1961 Filed June 6, 1958 L. ROZENFELD 2,991,791 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIVVENTOR LUC/E/V ROZENFELD 3 M V 21 ATTORNEYS 1961 L. ROZENFELD 2,991,791

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE Filed June 6, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 //YVENTOR Ll/C/E/V ROZ/f/VFELD y M ATTORNEYS July 11, 1961 L. ROZENFELD AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE Filed June 6, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR LUC/EN ROZENFHD 2,991,791 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE Filed June 6. 1958 July 11, 1961 L. ROZENFELD 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm. mm.

ATT RNEYS July 11, 1961 1.. ROZENFELD 2,991,791

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE Filed June 6, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 LIE/UV ROZENFHQ m vfi ATToR/VHS July 11, 1961 ROZENFELD 2,991,791

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE! LIKE Filed June 6, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 [MC/UV RUZE/VEHD By MQVM ATTORNEYS United States PatentjO i e 2,991,791 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSING AND THE LIKE Lucien Rozenfeld, Paris, France, assign'or to Les Procedes Rovac, Chemin des Reniers, Villeneuve la-Garenue (Seine), a company Filed June '6, 1958, Ser. No. 740,450 Claims priority, application France June 21, 1957 13 Claims. (Cl. 134-58) This invention relates to apparatus for subjecting articles to a sequence of process steps or treatments, e.g. chemical or electrolytic in character, and involving a battery of tanks.

Apparatus according to the invention is chiefly though not exclusively adapted for the dipping of mechanical mal to that of the post, said arm being adapted to carry work to be treated, means for rotating said upright about the post past all the tanks of the array, and means for rotating the carrier arm relatively to the upright. for immersing said work into and Withdrawing it from out of the tanks. The apparatus as a whole will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as a roundabout.

Preferably the means for rotating the upright about the central post comprises a two-part pressure-fluid actua-tor, called the transfer actuator, having a stationary part pivoted to the upright and the movable part of which has an actuator finger adapted to engage a ratchet wheel coaxially secured to the central post.

Stop means are furthermore provided for retaining the upright positioned adjacent each respective tank during the dwell periods intermediate the transfer periods.

In one desirable embodiment of the invention the means for rotating the work carrier arm is arranged to impart rotation to said arm in a plane extending through the axis of the central post and comprises another twopart pressure-fluid actuator unit, called the rocking actuator, having one part pivoted to the upright and its other part or piston rod connected to a crankpin secured to the pivot of the work carrier arm.

The invention further includes means for controlling the various movable components of the apparatus including the transfer and rocker actuators in accordance with a predetermined timing program, for performing an automatic cyclic process on the work. In one desirable form such means may comprise electrically operated valve means associated with each actuator and controlling the flow of pressure fluid and including an electric control circuit having at least one actuating switch therein.

In the special instance Where each rotary upright comprises a transfer actuator, a positioning or latching actuator, a rocking actuator, and a blocking actuator (as later described), each actuator preferably has an electrically operated valve associated with it, and the valve associated with the transfer actuator may additionally serve to control the positioning actuator, with the transfer actuator valve control circuit being operated through time delay means in response to rocking of the work carrier arm, while the latching actuator valve control circuit is operated in response to expansion of the transfer actuator. v

With the arrangement just specified the following op- 2,991,791 Patented July 11, 1961 2 crating cycle can be automatically performed in response to an initial start command: Raise the work-carrier arm from an operating to a transfer position; retract the latching actuator; transfer the upright to the next operating station and simultaneously reset the positioning latch.

Limit contacts may be provided actuated by the transfer actuator for moreover restoring the transfer and the rocking actuators to their initial positions. I g

In a preferred arrangement each upright is provided with actuator switch contacts each corresponding to a particular combination, or over-all condition, of the valve control circuits, whereby actuation of any one of said contacts will impart a predetermined elementary displacement or a predetermined sequence of such displacements to the'movable components of the apparatus.

Preferably also, such circuit arrangement is associated with the provision of means for selectivelycontrolling actuator switches positioned at each treating station at a predetermined geometrical position along the circumferential path of the upright, so as to cause selective operation of a single one of said actuator switchesj The said control means in turn may be operated from a timer device started in response to the arrival of an upright at a predetermined treating station.

The above and further improved features will appear more clearly from the ensuing disclosure. In the ac,- companying drawings, given by way of example but'not of limitation,

FIG. 1 is a general elevational view of a roundabout according to the invention, partly in axial section;

FIG. 2 is a corresponding overhead view;

FIG. 3 is. a partial section on line III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates the means for latching an upright shown in elevation with parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is a generally diagrammatic view of the circuit connections and related arrangements pertaining to one upright and two treating stations;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar views relating to two specific openating phases. 7

The exemplary apparatus described herein with reference to the drawings comprises a set of eight tanks 1 disposed in annular array. The first seven tanks 1 may contain baths for subjecting the work to the following sequence of steps respectively: degreasing, rinsing, pickling, rinsing, cadmium-plating, rinsing and hot rinsing. The last tank is empty and serves as a drying tank for the processed articles. v

According to the invention the roundabout comprises a stationary upstanding post 2 centrally of the annular array of tanks, and having rotatably supported therefrom two uprights 3 each comprising, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of spaced channel members 4 rigidly interconnected by means of a flange 5 at their upper end and a pair. of radially extending sectional elements 6 having their inner ends connected with respective annular runway collars 7 arranged in vertically internested relation, as shown in FIG. 1, about the post 2. In this way the uprights 3 are rotatable independently of one another about the center axis A-A of post 2.

Associated with each upright 3 is a work-carrier arm 9 in the form of a casing, which is pivoted at 11 (see FIG. 3) to the angle members 4 about the horizontal axis B-B. Where the work consists of large quantities of smallsize metallic articles, such as bolts or similar small metal parts, the work carrier may comprise a perforate'barrel 12 of non-metallic material, rotatably mounted on the arm 9. For this purpose the barrel 12 has a shaft 13 projecting from it and a worm gear 14 secured near the end of said shaft engages a worm 15, also see'F IG. 3, arranged coaxially with the work carrier arm pivot The worm 1 5 is driven by way of a sprocket chain drive 16 from an electric motor 17 supported on the flange 5.

Extending into the barrel 12 is an electrically conductive rod 18 serving as a cathode and having fastened to it a number of metallic chains 19 which extend out into the midst of the metallic articles contained in the barrel to apply a suitable negative charge thereto.

- Means are associated with each upright 3 for driving the upright in rotation about the axis AA of the center st 2. Such means herein comprise a pressure fluid actuator 21 having its cylinder or body part pivoted at 22 to the base of the upright. The actuator piston rod 23 has a finger 24 projecting from it into engagement with a stationary ratchet wheel 25 arranged coaxially .with the post 2 at the base of it. A suitable spring 26 serves .to apply finger 24 into engagement with the teeth of ratchet 25.

Mechanism is provided for positively latching each ,upright 3 in operative position adjacent to each tank. Said mechanism comprises an inwardly directed annular flange 29 coaxial with the post 2 and extending inwardly of the inner periphery of the tanks 1. Arranged in angularly equispaced relation on the flange 29 are a number of stops 30 and adjacent each stop and spaced therefrom is a related retractible detent stop 31 biassed by a spring 32 (see FIG. .4) to a position where the detent projects above the flange 29. Supported in each upright 3 is a vertical actuator 33 having a downwardly projecting piston rod with a latch pin 34 at its lower end, adapted ,to project into the space between a stop 30 and adjacent detent 31, which space is made slightly greater than the width of latch pin 34.

Means are further provided on the upright 3 for rotating the barrel 12 about the pivot axis B-B of bearings 11. Such rocking rotation or rocking movement allows the barrel 12 to be positioned in any one of three stable positions: an operative position C in which the barrel is immersed in the tank; a transfer position D in which the barrel is substantially horizontal and is hence able to pass from a position overlying one tank to a position overlying the next tank on rotation of the upright 3; and a third or discharge position E in which the arm 9 projects upwards for emptying the contents of the barrel.

Rocking movement of the barrel is effected by a rocking actuator 35 pivoted at 36 to the upright 3. The piston rod 37 of the actuator is connected to one end of a link 38 secured at its other end to the casing 9 coaxially with a cam 39 the contoured periphery of which includes a flat section 40 adapted to engage a blocker finger 42 actuated by an actuator 43 for reasons to be described presently. The roundabout system described operates as follows:

The motor 17 when energized acts through drive chain 16 to rotate the worm 15, gear 14 and barrel 12. Such rotation is effected at all times so as to mix the processed articles in the barrel for more uniform treatment.

With the piston rod 37 of actuator 35 in its upwardly extended position the barrel 12 is immersed in the tank 1 (operating position C). After the prescribed treating time has elapsed, actuator 35 retracts and rod 37 thereof moves downward thereby acting through link 38 to bring the arm 9 and barrel 12 to its substantially horizontal transfer position D. As the flat 40 on cam 39 engages blocker finger 42 projecting from a flange of section member 4, movement of arm 9 is arrested.

After a predetermined period of time as required to drain excess fluid from the barrel 12, compressed air, -or other pressure fluid medium used, is delivered into actuator 33 to lift the latch finger 34 and release the upright 3. Pressure fluid is also delivered into transfer actuator21, thereby extending rod 23. Finger 24 is thus forced out against an adjacent tooth of ratchet 25, .and the upright 3 is forced by reaction force to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow about the central post 2.

At the same time the latch finger 34 is again lowered and rides over the upper surface of annular flange 9. As the latch finger 34 reaches a position adjacent to the medial plane of the next treating tank the finger 34 acts to retract the pawl or detent 31 and then strikes the stop 30. Since detent 31 is restored to its projecting position by spring 32 immediately the finger 34 has moved past it, the finger is now entrapped between the parts 30 and 31 and the upright is positively latched in treating position. At this time delivery of pressure fluid to actuator 35 may be cut off, whereby the barrel 12 is lowered to its operating position C.

Further, pressure fluid is now delivered to transfer actuator 21 from the opposite side thereof so that the actuator retracts. Spring 26 rotates actuator bodily about the axis 22 at the same time as the finger 24 rides over ratchet 25 to engage the next following tooth space therein. The transfer cycle is now completed.

On completion of the various treatments in the tanks 1, the blocked finger 42 is retracted, thereby allowing free rotation of cam 39 and causing full retraction of actuator 35. The barrel 12 swings to discharge position E (FIG. 1, left side), allowing the processed articles to be discharged and collected in a suitable receiver, such as a movable tray not shown.

Suitable means are provided in the illustrated example for supplying energizing current to the electrode 18 when the barrel 12 is in its operative position C. Such means as shown may comprise suitable contact segments supported on annular flange 29 and the upright 3 is provided with suitable low-voltage, high-current contactor switch means adapted to engage such contact segments whenever the upright 3 is latched in an operative position adjacent a tank and barrel 12 is lowered to operative condition within the tank. The contactor switch may be operated by a suitable fluid actuator similar to the arrangement described with reference to actuator 33 and finger 34.

While it should be understood that the various operating steps just described may be performed through manual action on the valves controlling fluid flow to and from the respective actuators, the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof provides for an automatic performance of a full operating cycle required in a given treating process. Thus, FIG. 5 illustrates one form of embodiment of an electro-pneumatic control system relating to one of the rotary uprights 3. A similar system would be used for each of the uprights provided.

In FIG. 1 the components are shown in that condition where the corresponding barrel 12 is in its lowered operative position C. Shown in the diagram is the rocking actuator 35, actuator 43 controlling blocker finger 42, transfer actuator 21, and actuator 33 controlling the latch finger 34. All the actuators mentioned are carried on the upright 3 and are bodily movable therewith over the base 29, upon which the stop 30 and associated retractible detents 31 are provided as shown in the diagram.

The actual control system includes a set of electrically operable valves 101, 102, 103 and 104 controlling the flow of pressure fluid, e.g. air, between a supply manifold 62 and the actuators 35, 43, 21 and 33 respectively. All the valves are shown in the conditions assumed by them when the operating solenoids thereof are deenergized.

In the deenergized condition solenoid valve 101 associated with rocking actuator 35 is closed. Holding contacts110 are associated with the valve so that on application of a short energizing voltage pulse to the valve solenoid the valve will thereafter be maintained in its open condition.

Similarly, solenoid valves 102 and 104 are closed in the deenergized condition of their solenoids. Valve 102 controls actuator 43 while valve 104 controls the flow of air to one inlet of a selector ball-valve 105 having out- ,let connected with the actuator 33 controlling the latch finger 34, which includes a bias spring 100 tending to urge the finger to its retracted condition.

Solenoid valve 103 is a three-way valve. A first, normally sealed, outlet 106 thereof controls expansion of transfer actuator 21, and a second, normally open outlet 107 of the valve is connected by way of a first line 108 with the opposite end of actuator 21, and by way of a second line 109 to the other inlet of selector valve 105. Solenoid valve 103 has holding contacts 111 associated with it.

The electrical energizing circuit for the valve solenoids includes the supply lines 115 and 116 connected to a suitable source of direct voltage, and further includes a number of circuit components as listed below: I

. The circuit includes a time delay relay 117 shown as being of an electromechanical type, adapted to close a pair of associated contacts after the lapse of a suitable time, e.g. 8 seconds, after energiz-ation of the relay.

Further included is a contact switch 118 connected in series with time relay 117, which switch is normally open and is actuated to closed position by a projection 78 of cam 39.

Further two contact switches 119 and 121 are carried on the transfer actuator and adapted to be actuated to closed condition by a projection 122 on piston 23. Switch 119 is normally open and, when closed, supplies energizing current to solenoid valve 104. Switch 121 is normally closed to supply current to the holding switches 110 and 111 associated with solenoid valves 101 and 103.

Moreover, three normally open actuating switches 123, 124, 125 are positioned in the bottom portion 140 of upright 3, above the flange 29, in suitably predetermined geometrical positions, such as at radially displaced posi- .tions from the rotational axis AA of the roundabout. Switch 123 controls energization of solenoid valve 101 through a normally closed pair of contacts 126 positioned on the upright 3 for a purpose to be later described. Switch 124 is a double-throw switch and simultaneously controls valves 101 and 102. And switch 125 controls valve 105. This switch is connected in parallel with time relay 117 and switch 118.

Associated with the control circuit described is a programming unit comprising a set of timer devices 131, 132, 133, etc. in any suitable number, which are arranged for selective control of the actuating switches 123, 124, 125 in a manner presently to be described. The timer devices in turn may have their operation initiated in response to an upright 3 reaching an operative position adjacent to a treating tank. Each timer device may serve to control the dwell or treating time i.e. the'time the barrels carried by the respective carrier arms are retained in their operative conditions Within the tanks.

For this purpose the timer devices are each connected in series with a normally open switch such as 141 positioned on the base 29 all said switches being arranged at corresponding positions at the respective operating stations, and are adapted to be actuated to closed condition by projections 151 carried at the base of each upright 3 as the upright attains its operating position adjacent a treating station. Moreover at each treating station a selective control means is provided comprising a solenoid actuator 142 supported on the base 29 at a predetermined position such as 143, 144 and 145, so as to actuate a related one of switches 123, 124, 125 in the upright to closed position as the upright attains its operating position adjacent the station under consideration, i.e. with the pin 34 engaged between the stops 30 and 31 of said station.

The manner in which the automatic control system just described operates to perform the respective elementary functions of the roundabout previously disclosed, may be described as follows:

Rotation of barrel about the B axis 1 If solenoid valve 101 is energized compressed is delivered to actuator35 which retracts and 38 and barrel 12 from operative position C to transfer position D. At this time the flat 40, on cam 39.1mm engaged finger 42 so that thebarrelis retained tionD. 1 In the event that solenoid valve 102 was previously opened the-actuator 43 was extended'and finger 42.. was moved to its lower position so that the rotation of cam 39"can proceed freely until the actuator 35 has been' fully retracted. -At this time the barrel 12 has attained its discharge position E. I

' Rotation of upright 3 about axis A If solenoid valve 103 is energized, fluid pressure' in line 107 is cutoff whereas line 106 now receives fluid pressure. Hence, actuator 33 is retracted by spring and the latching means for upright 3 are released. Under the action of pressure fluid delivered thereto actuator 21 expands and rotates the upright as previously described. I

As the projection 122 closes switch 119, solenoid valve 104 is opened and actuator 33 expands to lower latch pin 34 back to its operative position. 7 Opening 'of the next contact switch 121 deenergizes solenoid valve 103. Consequent application of fluid pressure to line 106 retracts actuator 21 which is thus re-' stored to initial condition. The concurrent operation of the various components of the roundabout is coordinated by the action of timers 131, 132, etc. of the programmer unit, in a manner pm: determined by the positions imparted to the selector switches 142 on the base 29. In this way fully automatic operation of the system canbe accomplished. This remains possible even in case two or more consecutive processing stations are actually occupied by a common tank. Moreover, the treating times at each station can be predetermined selectively regardless of the number of uprights used on the roundabout and irrespective of the treating times required at each station. l More specifically, as an upright 3 attains an operative position (FIG. 5) the switch 141 is closed by projection 151 and the timer 131 associated with the station under consideration is started in operatic During this time the barrel 12 is in its operative position C immersed 'in the treating tank. At the end of the prescribed'period timer 131 energizes selector switch142. If this switch is at position 143, it will close the switch 123 and this initiates an automatic operating cycle including raising the barrel out of the tank, rotation of upright 3 to the next station and then downward swing of the barrelintd the tank at said last station. This is achieved as follows. Upon the closure of switch. 118 the time relay 117 is energized and after a lapse'of say 8 seconds the time relay contacts close, energizing solenoid valve 103. as previously described results in latch pin 34 being raised and in rotation of upright 3 (FIG. 6). p During such rotation of upright 3 closure of switch 119 acts to open solenoid valve 104 to lower latchpin 34 through action of flow selector valve 105. As' piston rod 23 reaches the end of its stroke limit switch 121 opens, decnergizing the holding circuits for solenoid valves 101 and 103. This results in the barrel 12 being swung back to position C and the actuator 21 beingretractedi At the same time latch pin 34 has engaged stop 30 of the next adjacent station and'the projection 151 has actu-' ated switch to initiate operation of timer 13 If the selector switch 142 is positioned at 144 a modified cycle will obtain. The barrel 12 is simply raised to, discharge position E. This is because closure of switch 124 opens solenoid valve 101 and also valve 102, so that actuator 43 expands and the rotation'of cam 39 can now continue as far as the position E or discharge position. During such rotation switch 118 has been closed, but for an insufficient period of time to permit energization of time relay 117. V 7

The barrel can then be swung back to its lower enemas by momentarily cutting-E the holding circuit including holding contacts 110 by acting on a suitable manual switch. a

, If desired to shift the barrel to position E up to the next following station it is simply necessary to actuate switch 125 manually or automatically as will -be described. If switch 142 is positioned at 145, energization thereof results in rotating the upright '3 without altering the angular position of barrel 12 by direct action on solenoid valve 103,. This provision may be useful e.g. in cases where a tank 1 extends over two consecutive treating stations. The upright can then be transferred'without a break in the electrolysis treatment with the barrel 12 remaining in lowermost position. A similar .action .can be effected with the barrel in discharge position E.

:In cases where two uprights .3 are positioned at adjacent treating stations, it is furtherlprovided that the switch 126 ,on the trailing upright'is so positioned as to :be opened by a part carried on the leading upright. In such circumstances closure of switch 123 remains without effect so ,long as the leading upright .has not moved away from its operative position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the automatic control system described makes possible an extreniely flexible and versatile operation of the roundabout apparatus, as may be required in the performance of a great variety of treating processes, while reducing the requisite apparatus components to a minimum.

It is evident that the present invention within the scope of the appended claims is in no way restricted to the specific form of embodiment described and shown.

;I claim:

1. App ratus for processing work by immersion in .a seriespf treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at lcast two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, means forimparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of the array, said means comprising 'for each of said uprights a two pait transfer actuator having one part pivoted to the upright, annular ratchet means coaxially secured on said post and means on the other part of said actuator engageable with said ratchet means for imparting stepped rotation to said upright, and independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks.

2. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights above an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of the array, said means comprising for each of said uprights a tw0-part transfer actuator having one part pivoted to the upright, annular ratchet means coaxially secured on said post, .and means on the other part of said actuator engageable with said ratchet means for imparting stepped rotation to said upright, the angle of said stepped rotation corresponding to the angular spacing between adjacent tanks aboutsaid posts, said apparatus further comprising means for positively positioning the upright at an operative position adjacent a tank, which means comprise a retractable latch pin supported on the upright, and a setof angularly spaced stops arranged coaxially around said post adjacent the respective tanks and engageable by said latch pin, and independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks.

3. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, a container for said work rotatably supported on said arm, power means disposed on each upright, and gearing drive means on said upright, energized by said power means for rotating said container, means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of the array, and independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks.

4. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of the array, said means comprising pressure fluid actuators for imparting elementary displacements to the movable components therein, and a control system comprising electrically operated valves operatively connected with the respective actuators for controlling the flow of pressure fluid thereto, and electric control circuit for said valves including at least one actuator switch, said apparatus further including a safety arrangement for independently presetting the dwell times of each upright at each operating station, which arrangement includes a switch carried by each upright and connected in series with the control circuit for the valve controlling fluid flow to the transfer actuator, and means for causing said switch to be retained in open position in case the next following operating station still has another upright positioned thereto, said apparatus further comprising independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks.

5. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movement along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on each upright comprising a transfer actuator for autonomous rotation of said upright about said post past the successive tanks of the array, and means comprising an actuator and a latch pin controlled by said actuator for positively positioning said upright at each operative position thereof adjacent to a tank and means to provide an automatic operating cycle for each upright wherein said latch pin is first retracted, the upright is then rotated and the latch pin is restored to latching position during rotation of the upright, said means comprising a two-position electrically operated valve for said transfer actuator, operative in one of its positions to supply fluid to said positioning actuator in opposition to a second electrically op erated valve and a control circuit for said second valve including switch means actuable by the transfer actuator during displacement thereof.

sniper 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim'5, which comprises for one at least of said uprights a rocking actuator for pivoting said arm, a cam operated by saidrocking actuator, a switch actuated by said cam so as to be closed in a transfer position of said arm, and a time delay relay energized on closure of said switch to complete a supply circuit for energizing the transfer actuator valve, whereby rocking of said arm from an operativev to a transfer position causes rotation of the upright to its next operative position adjacent to the next tank after the lapse of a predetermined delay time for draining excess fluid from the work.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim and comprising for one at least of said uprights a rocking actuator for pivoting said arm, electrically operated valves for controlling fluid flow to said transfer and rocking actuators, and supply circuits for said respective valves including holding circuits therefor, and limit switch means operated by the transfer actuator on approaching the end of its stroke for opening said holding circuits, whereby the work carrier arm is rocked down to its operative position within a tank and the transfer actuator is restored to an initial condition after the upright has been rotated to its operative position adjacent a tank by the transfer actuator.

8. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of the array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movement along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on each upright comprising a transfer actuator for autonomous rotation of said upright about said post past the successive tanks of the array, and means comprising an actuator and a latch pin controlled by said actuator for positively positioning said upright at each operative position thereof adjacent to a tank and means to provide an automatic operating cycle for each upright wherein said latch pin is first retracted, the upright is then rotated and the latch pin is restored to latching position during rotation of the upright, said means comprising a two-position electrically operated valve for said transfer actuator, 0perative in one of its positions to supply fluid to said positioning actuator in opposition to a second electrically operarted valve and a control circuit for said second valve including switch means actuable by the transfer actuator during displacement thereof, one at least of said uprights comprising a rocking actuator for pivoting said arm, electrically operated valves for controlling said rocking actuator, and selector switch means on each upright so arranged that actuation of each selector switch completes a predetermined one out of a set of control circuit combinations between the supply circuits for said valves, to ensure performance of a selected elementary displacement or a selected sequence of elementary displacements of the movable components of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, comprising actuator members for actuating said selector switches, said members positioned at each treating station in a predetermined geometrical position along the path of the upright so as to actuate only a selected one of said selector switches.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further including a programming unit comprising independently settable timling devices operative to place the respective selector switch actuator members to an operative condition, and means for initiating the timing operation of each timing device on arrival of an upright at a corresponding operating station.

11. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of said tank array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner pc- 10. j. riphery of said annular array. of tanks, an arm pivotally connected to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, said,means comprising a barrel, having an aperture thereinfor introducing the work to be processed, independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said said arm, said arm pivoting means comprising a two-part actuator having one part pivoted to the upright and its other part pivoted; to said arm, means on said upright for positively positioning said arm in any one of at least three angular positions relatively to the upright, including a lowermost operative position wherein said barrel is immersed in a tank, a substantially horizontal transfer position and an uppermost position wherein said work is discharged from said aperture of said barrel, said arm positioning means comprising means for controlling the extension of said twopart actuator, said apparatus further comprising driving means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of said array, means for controlling the operation of said powered means, and independent moving means pro vided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks.

12. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of said tank array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of said array, said means comprising for each of said uprights a two-part transfer actuator having one part pivoted to the upright, annular ratchet means coaxially secured on said post and means mounted on the other part of said actuator engageable with said ratchet means for imparting stepped rotation to said upright, and independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks, said moving means comprising a two-part actuator having one part pivoted to the upright and its other part pivoted to said arm, said apparatus further comprising pressure fluid supply means connected with said actuator means, and means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid in accordance with a predetermined program including any predetermined number of unitary cycles, each comprising rotation of said arm for said operative position within a tank to a position above said tank, rotation of the upright from a position adjacent said tank to a position adjacent a further tank, and rotation of said arm to its operative position within said further tank.

13. Apparatus for processing work by immersion in a series of treating tanks, which comprises a series of tanks disposed in an annular array, an upstanding post disposed centrally of said tank array, at least two uprights rotatably supported from said post for independent rotary movements along a circular path adjacent the inner periphery of said annular array of tanks, an arm pivoted to each of said uprights about an axis normal to the axis of said post, means on said arm for carrying said work, means for imparting to each of said uprights an autonomous rotation about said post past the successive tanks of said array, and independent moving means provided on each of said uprights for pivoting said arm for immersing said work carrying means into and withdrawing it out of said tanks, said apparatus further comprising pressure-fluid actuators for imparting elementary displacements to the movable components therein, and a control system comprising electrically operated valves associated with the respective actuators for controlling 1 1 the flow of yressure fluid thereto, and -an electric con tro1.circuit for said valves including at least one .actuator switch. Y

References Citea in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 166,271 Greene Aug. 3, 187.5 769,238 Satterfield Sept. 6, 1904 1,244,153 Wickwire Oct. 23, L917 10 12 Mangold Ian. 9, 1923 Sacksteder May 1, 1923 Koppin Dec. 23, 1924 Harmon Oct. 31, 1939 Repasy Dec. 19, 1939 Hannon June 27, 1950 Kling Feb. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 20, 1953 

